When you add a college code to your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), that school receives important information from your FAFSA. You should add the codes for colleges you’re seriously considering attending. If you’ve already submitted your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (F AFSA) and have since discovered another college you may like to attend, it’s not too late to add the new school code to your online FAFSA application. In fact, it’s never too late to include additional schools. To add schools to your FAFSA, simply:

Because a few types of financial aid are available year-round, there is not a specific deadline to submit the FAFSA. However, many scholarships and grants require information from your submitted FAFSA and have deadlines early in the year.

If you plan to apply for grants and scholarships that require information from your FAFSA, find out which grant or scholarship has the earliest deadline and aim to submit your FAFSA before then. Allow yourself enough time to get organized, gather materials, file your taxes, if possible, and complete the application.

Check out our previous post for more information about the benefits of applying early!

When it comes to submitting the FAFSA, it holds true that the early bird gets the worm (or in this case, the money).

Those who apply for financial aid early in the year:

Receive their financial aid eligibility results earlier.

Open more opportunities to earn scholarships and grants with early deadlines.

Have one less item on their “To-Do Before College” list.

If you plan to apply for the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG), you’ll need to submit the FAFSA by March 1. Remember, if you and/or your parents have not yet filed your taxes, you can submit the FAFSA using a tax estimate and make corrections later.

If you’re concerned about the security of your information online, you’re not alone! Identity theft is a major problem. Fortunately, when it comes to submitting your information through FAFSA.gov, your personal data is as secure as possible.

FAFSA.gov goes to great lengths to protect your information from hackers. Click here to learn more about these security measures and how FAFSA.gov uses your information.

Here are a few steps you should take to help further protect your information:

Make sure you’re using the domestic version of your web browser. The international versions often have weaker encryption levels.

Close your browser entirely when you leave the computer. This eliminates the possibility that someone could take advantage of the computer memory still being used by the browser to try and access your application.

As with any online account, safeguard your login information. Use a strong password that you are sure to remember and don’t leave passwords written or exposed where someone might be able to find them.

Remember, if you’re safe with your own information, your information is safe with FAFSA.gov!

NEVER pay to complete the FAFSA; the FAFSA is always free. As a matter of fact, that’s what the first F stands for:

Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

If you plan to submit the form online, be sure to file at FAFSA.gov, and avoid sites like FAFSA.com that offer to file the FAFSA for a hefty fee. Always check for the “.gov” to make sure you’re in the right place!

Even if you think you or your parents make too much money to qualify for financial aid, submit the FAFSA anyway. Students are often surprised by the aid they’re awarded.

There’s not a specific income cutoff to qualify for federal financial aid, and many other factors are considered. The only hard and fast rules of eligibility are that you must:

Be a citizen or eligible noncitizen of the United States.

Have a valid Social Security Number.

Have a high school diploma or a GED certificate, or have completed homeschooling.

Be enrolled in an eligible program as a regular student seeking a degree or certificate.

Maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Not owe a refund on a federal student grant or be in default on a federal student loan.

Register (or already be registered) with the Selective Service System, if you are a male and not currently on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Even if you are not awarded grants, most students qualify for some type of federal student aid. Some schools use the data from your FAFSA to award state or school-specific grants and scholarships, so submitting the application may open more doors than you expect.

On average, it takes less than an hour to fill out the FAFSA online, so why not do it? It could turn out to be well worth your time!

As the parent of a high school senior, you know your child will soon learn what it means to lead an independent life. However, when it comes to completing the FAFSA, unless they answer “yes” to any of the questions regarding student dependency, they’re probably considered “dependent” on your finances (though special circumstances may apply).

We understand the reservations you may have about providing sensitive information on the FAFSA; especially when submitting it electronically. However, refusing to complete your part of the FAFSA for your dependent student could prevent your senior from getting financial aid to help pay for college.

Keep in mind that electronic completion of the FAFSA can save you time and help prevent errors. And, FAFSA.gov goes to great lengths to secure your information. But, if you are uncomfortable with submitting your personal information online, you do have the option to mail a paper copy of the form. However you choose to submit the FAFSA, be sure to do so as early in the year as possible to help maximize your child’s potential sources of financial aid.

We get it. You may not think of fun when you think about the FAFSA. Few folks enjoy paperwork, and the FAFSA requires time, personal information and answers to tricky questions. But, like so many other aspects of adult life, there’s no reward without effort. If you need money to help pay for college, the FAFSA is the place to start. You must complete the FAFSA to find out if you’re eligible for federal (and some state!) financial aid.

If you don’t complete the FAFSA, here’s what you could miss out on:

Grants

Scholarships

Work-study opportunities

Low-interest student loans

State Aid

If you’re planning to go to college this fall, submit the FAFSA as soon as possible to help maximize your financial aid offers. Save yourself some time by completing the form online at www.FAFSA.gov.